Direct magnetic resonance arthrography of the knee: utility of axial traction.

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of axial traction during acquisition of direct magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography examination of the knee in terms of joint space width and amount of contrast material between the cartilage surfaces. Direct knee MR arthrography was performed in 11 patients on a 3-T MR imaging unit using a T1-weighted isotropic gradient echo sequence in a coronal plane with and without axial traction of 15 kg. Joint space widths were measured at the level of the medial and the lateral femorotibial joint with and without traction. The amount of contrast material in the medial and lateral femorotibial joint was assessed independently by two musculoskeletal radiologists in a semiquantitative manner using three grades ('absence of surface visualization, 'partial surface visualization or 'complete surface visualization'). With traction, joint space width increased significantly at the lateral femorotibial compartment (mean = 0.55 mm, p = 0.0105) and at the medial femorotibial compartment (mean = 0.4 mm, p = 0.0124). There was a trend towards an increased amount of contrast material in the femorotibial compartment with axial traction. Direct MR arthrography of the knee with axial traction showed a slight and significant increase of the width of the femorotibial compartment with a trend towards more contrast material between the articular cartilage surfaces.

Direct visualization of supercoiled DNA molecules in solution.

The shape of supercoiled DNA molecules in solution is directly visualized by cryo-electron microscopy of vitrified samples. We observe that: (i) supercoiled DNA molecules in solution adopt an interwound rather than a toroidal form, (ii) the diameter of the interwound superhelix changes from about 12 nm to 4 nm upon addition of magnesium salt to the solution and (iii) the partition of the linking deficit between twist and writhe can be quantitatively determined for individual molecules.

Mulheres imigrantes cabo-verdianas nas prisões portuguesas (des) integração, reclusão e projectos de vida

O presente estudo baseia-se em mulheres imigrantes cabo-verdianas nas prisões portuguesas. A informação foi recolhida no Estabelecimento Prisional de Tires e assentou em mulheres condenadas que cumprem pena efetiva de prisão. Quisemos perceber quais os motivos que levaram estas mulheres imigrantes a abandonarem o seu país de origem, se tiveram dificuldades de integração no país que as acolheu e se em resultado desse acolhimento caíram nas malhas da justiça. Pretendíamos também saber se o espaço que se vêm obrigadas a abraçar, resultado do contacto com a justiça, servia para reflexão das suas vidas pregressas e se daí resultavam mais valias para a concretização dos seus projetos de vida. Imaginar o ambiente prisional não é certamente o mesmo que ter contacto com a instituição. A ideia de prisão não passa apenas pelo espaço fechado, mas também pelo local frio, receoso, degradante, onde se aperfeiçoa o crime e onde existe um código de ética por parte de reclusos/as. As prisões são muitas vezes apelidadas de “escolas de crime”. Importa por isso fazer uma abordagem à evolução do sistema prisional português, compreender a sua evolução, as limitações, o avanço feito ao nível da abertura ao exterior e sobretudo a evolução ao nível da humanização. Aquele espaço fechado e altruísta teve o seu fim, e em boa hora o possamos dizer. Fez-se uma abordagem à integração social, aos fatores que intervêm no processo e uma breve sinopse caraterizando a comunidade Cabo-verdiana. Pela metodologia utilizada, concluiu-se que as dificuldades de integração não parecem estar diretamente relacionadas com a prática do crime. As razões económicas e as influências externas foram os dois fatores mais vincados, retirados da análise dos dados. Importa aqui salientar que quadros sociais e económicos fragilizados poderão ser fomentadores de atividades ilícitas.

Direct simulation of interface dynamics: linking capillary pressure, interfacial area and surface energy

We perform direct numerical simulations of drainage by solving Navier- Stokes equations in the pore space and employing the Volume Of Fluid (VOF) method to track the evolution of the fluid-fluid interface. After demonstrating that the method is able to deal with large viscosity contrasts and to model the transition from stable flow to viscous fingering, we focus on the definition of macroscopic capillary pressure. When the fluids are at rest, the difference between inlet and outlet pressures and the difference between the intrinsic phase average pressure coincide with the capillary pressure. However, when the fluids are in motion these quantities are dominated by viscous forces. In this case, only a definition based on the variation of the interfacial energy provides an accurate measure of the macroscopic capillary pressure and allows separating the viscous from the capillary pressure components.

Motifs de consultation en médecine du travail [Reasons for consultation in occupational medicine].

The inability to characterize more precisely the extent of occupational diseases limits the implementation of an effective preventive policy. Furthermore, not all work-related conditions are reported by the Swiss workers' compensation system. A seven-year (1986 to 1992) retrospective study of medical visits in an Institute of Occupational Health Sciences is presented. The objective of this study is to expand data on occupational diseases for clinical and public health intervention. 298 patients have been examined for a possible work-related condition. In 140 cases (47%), an occupational disease according to the Swiss Law was found. Respiratory tract was the main target of industrial pollutants. Respiratory irritation , solvent intoxications, contact dermatitis and asthma were the most frequent conditions seen. 97 workplace visits (32% of all medical visits) were necessary for diagnostic purposes. Painters (construction, cars) and other solvent exposed workers were at particular risk. Rare alpha-1-antitrypsin phenotypes were found several times in workers with respiratory diseases confirming the value of this test in occupational medicine. Despite many referral biases, direct clinical and public health applications of the data are possible. This study confirms the hypothesis that occupational respiratory diseases and intoxications are probably underreported in the workers' compensation statistics. Activities with an increased risk of work-related diseases have been identified so workplace intervention could be highly targeted. This study shows also that a more intense collaboration between primary care physicians, hospital services and occupational medical specialists is necessary to improve clinical and epidemiological surveillance of work-related health conditions.

Does Direct Democracy Matters for Political Parties : An Empirical Test in the Swiss Cantons

According to most political scientists and commentators, direct democracy seems to weaken political parties. Our empirical analysis in the 26 Swiss cantons shows that this thesis in its general form cannot be maintained. Political parties in cantons with extensive use of referendums and initiatives are not in all respects weaker than parties in cantons with little use of direct democratic means of participation. On the contrary, direct democracy goes together with more professional and formalized party organizations. Use of direct democracy is associated with more fragmented and volatile party systems, and with greater support for small parties, but causal interpretations of these relationships are difficult.

Direct Fourier Tomographic Reconstruction Image-To-Image Filter

We present an open-source ITK implementation of a directFourier method for tomographic reconstruction, applicableto parallel-beam x-ray images. Direct Fourierreconstruction makes use of the central-slice theorem tobuild a polar 2D Fourier space from the 1D transformedprojections of the scanned object, that is resampled intoa Cartesian grid. Inverse 2D Fourier transform eventuallyyields the reconstructed image. Additionally, we providea complex wrapper to the BSplineInterpolateImageFunctionto overcome ITKâeuro?s current lack for image interpolatorsdealing with complex data types. A sample application ispresented and extensively illustrated on the Shepp-Loganhead phantom. We show that appropriate input zeropaddingand 2D-DFT oversampling rates together with radial cubicb-spline interpolation improve 2D-DFT interpolationquality and are efficient remedies to reducereconstruction artifacts.

Les interventions de soutien direct auprès des aidants naturels réduisent leur détresse psychologique: revue Cochrane pour le praticien.

Cet article présente les résultats de la revue systématique: Candy B, Jones L, Drake R, Leurent B, King M. Interventions for supporting informal caregivers of patients in the terminal phase of a disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Jun 15;(6):CD007617. PMID: 21678368. Contexte : Les aidants naturels sont des personnes bénévoles qui dispensent des soins physiques et, ou un soutien émotionnel à l'un(e) de leur proche ou ami(e). Ceci peut générer un stress intense tant physique que psychique. Des interventions visant principalement à augmenter la qualité de vie et à soutenir la vie affective des aidants naturels ont été développées. Cette revue systématique évalue l'effet de ces interventions sur la santé physique et psychique des aidants naturels de patients en phase terminale. [Auteurs]

Bone marrow dosimetry in rats using direct tissue counting after injection of radio-iodinated intact monoclonal antibodies or F(ab')2 fragments.

Normal rats were injected intravenously with 131I- and 125I-labeled intact murine and chimeric mouse-human monoclonal antibodies directed against carcinoembryonic antigen or with the corresponding F(ab')2 fragments. At different times after injection, individual animals were killed and radioactivity of blood and major organs, including bones and bone marrow, was determined. Ratios comparing radioactivity concentration in different tissues with that of bone marrow were calculated and found to remain stable during several effective half-lives of the antibodies. Mean bone marrow radioactivity was 35% (range, 29%-40%) of that of blood and 126% (range, 108%-147%) of that of liver after injection of intact Mabs or F(ab')2 fragments. In nude rats bearing human colon carcinoma xenografts producing carcinoembryonic antigen, relative bone marrow radioactivity was slightly lower than that in normal rats.

Influence of the menstrual cycle on the sweating response measured by direct calorimetry in women exposed to warm environmental conditions.

The whole body sweating response was measured at rest in eight women during the follicular (F) and the luteal (L) phases of the menstrual cycle. Subjects were exposed for 30-min to neutral (N) environmental conditions [ambient temperature (Ta) 28 degrees C] and then for 90-min to warm (W) environmental conditions (Ta, 35 degrees C) in a direct calorimeter. At the end of the N exposure, tympanic temperature (Tty) was 0.18 (SEM 0.06) degrees C higher in the L than in the F phase (P less than 0.05), whereas mean skin temperature (Tsk) was unchanged. During W exposure, the time to the onset of sweating as well as the concomitant increase in body heat content were similar in both phases. At the onset of sweating, the tympanic threshold temperature (Tty,thresh) was higher in the L phase [37.18 (SEM 0.08) degrees C] than in the F phase [36.95 (SEM 0.07) degrees C; P less than 0.01]. The magnitude of the shift in Tty,thresh [0.23 (SEM 0.07) degrees C] was similar to the L-F difference in Tty observed at the end of the N exposure. The mean skin threshold temperature was not statistically different between the two phases. The slope of the relationship between sweating rate and Tty was similar in F and L. It was concluded that the internal set point temperature of resting women exposed to warm environmental conditions shifted to a higher value during the L phase compared to the F phase of the menstrual cycle; and that the magnitude of the shift corresponded to the difference in internal temperature observed in neutral environmental conditions between the two phases.

Effect of tibial tray inclination on the femoro-tibial contact pattern of a mobile total knee arthroplasty

Introduction: The posterior inclination of the tibial component is an important factor that can affect the success of total knee arthroplasty. It can reduce the posterior impingement and thus increase the range of flexion, but it may also induce instability in flexion, anterior impingement between the polyethylene of postero-stabilizing knee prosthesis, and anterior conflict with the cortical bone and the stem. Although the problem is identified, there is still a debate on the ideal inclination angle and the surgical technique to avoid an excessive posterior inclination. The aim of this study was to predict the effect of a posterior inclination of the tibial component on the contact pattern on the tibial insert, using a numerical musculoskeletal model of the knee joint. Methods: A 3D finite element model of the knee joint was developed to simulate an active and loaded squat movement after total knee arthroplasty. Flexion was actively controlled by the quadriceps muscle and muscle activations were estimated from EMG data and were synchronized by a feedback algorithm. Two inclinations of the tibial tray were considered: a posterior inclination of 0° or 10°. During the entire range of flexion, the following quantities were calculated: the tibiofemoral and patello-femoral contact force, and the contact pattern on polyethylene insert. The antero-posterior displacement of the contact pattern was also measured. Abaqus 6.7 was used for all analyses. Results: The tibio-femoral and patello-femoral contact forces increased during flexion and reached respectively 4 and 7 BW (bodyweight) at 90° of flexion. They were slightly affected by the inclination of the tibial tray. Without posterior inclination, the contact pattern on the tibial insert remained centered. The contact pressure was lower than 5 MPa below 60° of flexion, but exceeded 20 MPa at 90° of flexion. The posterior inclination displaced the contact point posteriorly by 2 to 4 mm. Conclusion: The inclination of the tibial tray displaced the contactpattern towards the posterior border of the tibial insert. However, even for 10° of inclination, the contact center remained far from the posterior border (12 mm). There was no instability predicted for this movement.

Respiratory effects of an exposure to grain dust among grain workers in the Vaud region (Switzerland)

Introduction: Bioaerosols such as grain dust, via biologically active agents, elicit local inflammation and direct immunological reactions within the human respiratory system. Workplace-dependent exposure to grain dust (GD) may thus induce asthma, chronic bronchitis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. The aim of this study is to assess the clinical impact of occupational exposure to GD and to determine quantitative biological markers of bioaerosol exposure in grain workers. Methods: This longitudinal study has been conducted from summer 2012, to summer 2013, comprising 6 groups of 30 active workers with different GD exposure patterns (4 groups of grain workers, 2 control groups). After obtaining informed consent, two evaluations at high- and low-exposing seasons take place, during which an occupational history and a detailed medical history are questionnaire-assessed, lung function is evaluated by spirometry, airway inflammation is measured by exhaled nitric oxide (eNO), and specific blood IgG and IgE are titrated. The preliminary results presented hereafter are those of two of the four exposed groups, namely harvesters and mill workers, compared to the control groups, at first assessment (n=100). Results: Mean age is 38.4 [years]; 98% are male. Exposed groups differ from controls (p<0.05) in daily contact with animals (57% vs. 40%) and active smoking (39% vs. 11%). Grain workers have more respiratory (50%), nasal (57%), ocular (45%), dermatologic (36%) and systemic (20%) occupational symptoms than controls (6.4%, 19%, 16%, 6.4%, 1.6% respectively, p<0.05). Lower mean peak-expiratory-flow (PEF) values (96.1 ± 18.9 vs. 108.2 ± 17.4 [% of predicted], p<0.05) and eNO values (13.9 ± 9.6 vs. 20.5 ± 14.7 [ppm], p<0.05) are observed in the exposed groups. Conclusion: Preliminary results show a higher prevalence of clinical symptoms and a lower mean PEF value in the exposed groups. Detailed supplementary analyses are pending.